What an incredible Scout Sunday we shared together – celebrating Scouting’s 116 birthday and our duty to God! We are grateful for Camelback Church of Christ, Charter Partner for Pack 100, Troop 201 and Troop 2201 who hosted our 2026 Council Scout Sunday Interfaith Service with welcoming arms, served a delicious meal and welcomed beautiful testimonies and prayers from our youth and adults.
Pastor Daniel Hayes along with Charter Organization Representative, Mechele Oihus coordinated this incredible event with their congregation and church families. Scouts were welcomed with a complementary luncheon and fellowship followed by flag ceremony, opening prayer from Lucas O. and beautiful stories of different faiths aligned with the twelve points of the Scout Law. Lord Baden-Powell(thank you, again, George Canellos) introduced our first two laws, Trustworthy and Loyal, after sharing a bit of Scouting history and how the Law evolved as a moral code to guide our youth.
Subsequent presenters, Jose Amorin, Josh Mason-Barkin, Mechele Oihus, Kathy Polowski and David Wheeler, shared their testimony and each one taught us, in their own unique way, about our duty to God from different perspectives, different faiths, reminding us that we are all God’s children. Our closing prayer, spoken in Hebrew and English, was a beautiful poem John Mason-Barkin wrote for his son, Charlie, who earned the Ner Tamid Religious Award.
We recognized and celebrated thirty-two youths that earned their Religious Emblem in 2025, in addition to two incredibly special award presentations.
Mechele Oihus, who received the Faithful Servant Award, a national recognition from Scouting America that honors adult leaders who have demonstrated long-term dedication, exceptional volunteerism, and service to their community or church—specifically leaders who are members of the Church of Christ. This milestone achievement strengthens Mechele’s leadership role in promoting the Servant Leadership Series of the religious emblem program and helps guide youth to grow stronger in their faith.
Also recognized was, David Gironda received the 50-Year Alumni Medal, honoring five decades of service. The medal, presented by George Cannelos as Lord Baden-Powell, reads: “In grateful appreciation, Scouting Alumni recognizes 50 Years of Service to America’s Youth in the Spirit of Baden-Powell.”
David began his Scouting journey in 1951 with Pack and Troop 5 at Sts. John and Paul Catholic School in Larchmont, New York, later holding several leadership roles. In the 1980s, he continued in Phoenix as a leader with Pack and Troop 340 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. For over 40 years, David has served with the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Committee on Scouting, including as chair from 1993–1996. He also joined the Grand Canyon Council’s Interfaith Committee in 1992, helping found the annual Duty to God Hike. Many remember him in the white Sea Scout uniform as Skipper and Past Commodore from 2001–2011. He promoted Venturing and spent 14 years with two crews, then served as Council Religious Emblems Coordinator from 2012–2023.
David has earned numerous recognitions, including the Distinguished Service Star and Silver Flame Award for over 25 years of Catholic Scouting service, and now proudly adds the Scouting Alumni Service Medal to his honors.
2025 Religious Emblems Earned by Youth
We proudly recognize the following Scouts who earned their Religious Emblem in 2025. Congratulations on your commitment to faith and duty to God.
Eastern Orthodox
Chi Rho (Grades 4–5)
Austin C.
National Jewish Committee on Scouting
Ner Tamid (Grades 6–9)
Charlie M.
Protestant & Non-Denominational Christian
Jesus and Me (K–1st Grade)
Ronan G.
God and Family (Grades 4–5)
- Thomas F.
- William M.
- Logan G.
God and Life (Grades 9–12)
- Faith H.
- Michael G.
- Joseph G.
- Anthony G.
- Nicholas G.
- Aaron P.
- Lucas E.
- Levi P.
- Eric P.
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
Light of Christ (Grades 1–2)
- Colvin H.
- Elijah M.
- Wyatt L.
- Duke D.
- Derek L.
- Ezekiel J.
- Charles S.
- Matthew S.
- Wiley H.
- Jack D.
Parvuli Dei (Grades 3–5)
- Aiden L.
- Leslie S.
- Luke R.
- Joel D.
Ad Altare Dei (Grades 6–12)
- Kaylynn S.
- Julian D.
- Samuel M.
In a few weeks we will share the testimonies from our guest speakers and additional photos from this enjoyable day. You will enjoy reading each Scout story and how each describe their faith journey which represents our duty to God, an integral part as our role as Scouts and Scouters.
In addition, if you are interested in learning more about the Religious Activities Program in Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council, go here: https://support.scoutingaz.org/main/religiousprograms/ or better yet, join our team as we look to the future in promoting our duty to God as Scouts and Scouters … or just want to learn more, please contact committee chair, Kathy Polowski at kpolo55@gmail.com
Thank you,
The Religious Program and Activities Committee
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